John Sandeman | March 25th, 2021 03:32 PM
“You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you,” Gabriel the Archangel tells Mary, in a greeting traditionally called the Annunciation, which is remembered today, March 25, in many churches that follow a church calendar.
This week Pope Francis has reminded Catholics that Mary is honoured as the mother of Jesus but “not as co-redeemer”.
“Speaking at his general audience on March 24, the Pope said that while Christians had always given Mary beautiful titles, it was important to remember that Christ is the only redeemer,” the Catholic News Agency reported.
“He was addressing a theological debate about whether the Church should issue a dogmatic definition declaring Mary ‘Co-Redemptrix,’ in honour of her role in humanity’s salvation.”
'We can't bless same-sex unions' says Catholic Church
Did the Pope say Jesus is not God?
5 things you may not know about Jesus
In 2017, the “International Marian Association” – an international association of Catholics – had asked Pope Francis to officially recognise Mary as “Co-Redemptrix with Jesus the Redeemer”.
Pope Francis has previously called that idea “foolishness”.
This is the second time this year Pope Francis has rejected suggestions to alter Catholic doctrine from orthodox and biblical standards. He rejected same sex blessings earlier this month.
However, Pope Francis did assert a traditional Catholic doctrine regarding Mary that other Christians do not accept. “Mary is always present at the bedside of her children when they depart this world,” Vatican News reported the Pope saying, re-presenting the doctrine of the Hail Mary prayer, and that she and other departed saints pray for us.
“If someone is alone and abandoned, she is there, near, as she was next to her Son when everyone else abandoned him.”
Email This Story
Why not send this to a friend?
Read Next
'We can't bless same-sex unions' says Catholic Church
5 things you may not know about Jesus
Is Pope Francis set to resign? Here's 3 reasons people think he is
Pope Francis issues passionate plea for coordinated response to refugees
Catholics embark on 'largest attempt at human consultation in the history of the world'
Pope Francis, Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music encourage Christians to pray
What’s at stake in the religious freedom debate
'The world needs new maps' says Pope Francis as Vatican opens new contemporary art gallery
Sacrament wars: Catholic Pelosi caught in political crossfire
'Let the weapons be put down! Let the Easter truce begin' says Pope Francis at Palm Sunday mass
Calls for Pope Francis to apologise to Canada's Indigenous peoples over Residential Schools
Orthodox Church fractures over Ukraine
Pandemic is a lesson in humility and church unity, says Pope
Latest
Farewell from the Eternity team
As Eternity News draws to a close, our team offers you, dear reader, our personal,…
What to watch this Easter (plus Eternity's highest rated movies)
Looking for some entertainment for the Easter weekend? Here’s a collection of three Easter-related movies…